Pipe-wrench.



N9. 672,940.. Patented Mn. 30, mm.

' A. HEBERER.

P I P E W B E N C H.

(Applies/biog filed Sept. 20, 1900.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES T PATENT OFFICE.

ADAM HEBERER, OF ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA.

PIPE-WRENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterslatent No. 672,940, dated April 30, 1901.

Application filed $eptember 20, 1900; berial No. 30,606. (No'modeLl To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADAM HEBERER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Alameda, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Pipe-Wrenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements made in wrenches of that class or description which are designed by their construction to grasp and act on pipes, tubes, and other cylindrical objects; and the same consists in certain novel constructions and combination of parts, as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification, in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side view of a pipe-wrench embodying my improvements, showing the position of the stationary jaw and the movable jaw when the wrench is first placed upon a pipe and before the jaw is released by the workman. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the position of the parts after the jaws have seized the pipe. Fig. 3 is atop View of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 illustrates a slight modification, in which the notches for the link of the movable jaw are located on the inner edge instead of the outer edge of the stationary jaw.

In the several figures of the drawings, 2 indicates the stationary jaw, and 3 the shank on the end of which it is fixed or formed. This shank is preferably curved and terminates in a handle portion 4 for operating the tool.

5 is the movable jaw, and 6 its shank or the part that connects it with the handle portion of the tool. Extending approximately at right angles to this shank, on one side, the movable jaw is curved to present a concave face to the pipe, and this face, as well as the opposing face of the opposite jaw, is serrated to afford a-gripping-surface that will seize and hold the pipe without slipping.

7 is a stirrup formed of two parallel straps rigidly secured to the shank 6 and joined at the opposite ends by a cross-pin 8. The

shank of the jaw 2 being embraced by this stirrup is fitted to move laterally and also to slide longitudinally between the straps without friction. A link composed of two bars 9 9 is pivotally attached to the shank 3 at a point back of the jaw by a cross-pin l0, and the free or outer ends are united by a crosspin 12. The opening between the side pieces 9 of this link is of proper size to admit the shank 6 and allow that member to slide easily without binding, while the pin or cross-bar on the outer end of the link is fitted to a series of notches 13 in the edge of the shank. Resting in one of the notches, the pin forms a fulcrum or pivotal point for the jaw 2.to move forward or toward the jaw 5. On the inner end of the jaw '2, where it joins the shank 3, isa heel or rocking point 14:, bearing on the inner edge of the shank 6 on which as a fulcrum the jaw 2 has a slight oscillatory movement as the shank 3 is allowed to slide or shiftlaterally in the stirrup, and thereby throw the outer end or beak of the jaw 2 toward the opposite jaw.

15 is a flat spring interposed between the two shanks and having its free end 16 bearing against that part of the shank 3 which lies within the stirrup. This spring is'fastened at the opposite end to the shank 6, and its free end lying within the stirrup is kept in line and in working position bearing on the shank.

As thus constructed and combined the operation of these parts is as follows: The wrench is adjusted to the pipe or other object to be seized by pressing the two shanks together at the stirrup, so as to cause the jaw 2 to rock on its heel and throw apart the outer ends of the jaws. This is readily done by grasping the curved handle up near the shank 2, with the thumb resting on the back of the shank 6 at the stirrup-bearing end, and then pressing the two shanks together. The pressure applied to the shank 6 at thispoint compresses the spring, and that part by reacting throws the outer ends of the jaws toward each other when the pressure is removed from the shank at the point mentioned. At such time the parts will assume the position illustrated in Fig. 1. While thus held the link can be slipped forward on the shank 6 and adj usted to the proper notch on the back to give the required width of opening between the jaws. Then by placing the wrench upon the piece to'be turned the jaws will grasp and take hold as soon as the pressure is removed from the back of the stirrup. At such moment the outer ends of the jaws are pressed together by the spring with sufficient force to grasp the surface of the piece between them without slipping, and by virtue of the rocking movement of the movable jaw that takes place when the spring is allowed to react the link is seated securely in the notch and is prevented from slipping out of place. The same movements and operation will be seen to take place in the construction represented in Fig. 4. In this slight modification theuotches are located on the inner edge of the shank, and the heel on the end of the shank 3 at the back of the jaw 2 is formed with a rounded toe or projection 17 to fit in the notches. In this construction the movable jaw 2 has a more positive hearing or fulcrum on the shank 6 than in the other form before described, because the toe or projection on the heel is held in the notch by the link and cannot slip from the point at which it is adjusted until the link is loosened.

A slidable gib 18, inserted between the back of the shank and the cross-bar of the link, furnishes the means for drawing up and for loosening the link.

The function and operation of the parts are the same in both the constructions represented in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a pipe-wrench, a shank or body having a movable gripping-jaw on one end and a stirrup on the opposite end, both extending in the same plane and approximately at right angles to the shank; a shank provided with a handle portion on one end and having a stationary gripping-jaw on the opposite end, said shank being fitted to slide longitudinally and to move laterally in the stirrup of the movable jaw and having bearing on the back of the stationary jaw; a spring interposed between the two shanks, and an adjustable link pivotally attached at one end to the movable jaw, and means detachably holding the opposite end of the link from moving on the shank of the stationary jaw.

2. In a pipe-wrench, the combination with a shank having a movable jaw on one end and a stirrup on the opposite end both standing at right angles to and in the same plane with the shank, of a stationary jaw having a curved shank provided with a handle portion on which the stirrup of the movable jaw is adapted to slide, said movable jaw having a rounded heel adapted to bear on the shank of the stationary jaw, and a link composed of side bars attached to the movable jaw on opposite sides of its shank and means for adjusting and holding the link at various points on the shank of the stationary jaw.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

ADAM HEBERER. [L. s.] Witnesses:

EDWARD E. OSBORN, M. REGNER. 

